2000 United States gubernatorial elections explained

Election Name:2000 United States gubernatorial elections
Country:United States
Flag Year:1960
Type:legislative
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1999 United States gubernatorial elections
Previous Year:1999
Next Election:2001 United States gubernatorial elections
Next Year:2001
Seats For Election:13 governorships
11 states; 2 territories
Election Date:November 7, 2000
1Blank:Seats up
2Blank:Seats won
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Seats Before1:30
Seats After1:29
Seat Change1: 1
Popular Vote1:5,966,679
Percentage1:45.10%
1Data1:4
2Data1:3
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Seats Before2:18
Seats After2:19
Seat Change2: 1
Popular Vote2:6,942,442
Percentage2:52.48%
1Data2:7
2Data2:8
Map Size:320px

United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 7, 2000, in 11 states and two territories. The elections coincided with the presidential election. Democrats gained one seat by defeating an incumbent in West Virginia. As of, this remains the last gubernatorial cycle in which a Democrat won in Indiana.

Race Summary

States

StateIncumbentPartyFirst
elected
ResultCandidates
DelawareTom CarperDemocratic1992Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Democratic hold.
nowrap
  • Ruth Ann Minner (Democratic) 59.2%
  • John M. Burris (Republican) 39.7%
  • Floyd E. McDowell (Independent) 1.0%
IndianaFrank O'BannonDemocratic1996Incumbent re-elected.nowrap
MissouriRoger B. WilsonDemocratic2000Incumbent retired.
New governor elected.
Democratic hold.
nowrap
MontanaMarc RacicotRepublican1992Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Republican hold.
nowrap
New HampshireJeanne ShaheenDemocratic1996Incumbent re-elected.nowrap
North CarolinaJim HuntDemocratic1976
1984
1992
Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Democratic hold.
nowrap
North DakotaEd SchaferRepublican1992Incumbent retired.
New governor elected.
Republican hold.
nowrap
  • John Hoeven (Republican) 55.0%
  • Heidi Heitkamp (Democratic) 45.0%
UtahMike LeavittRepublican1992Incumbent re-elected.nowrap
VermontHoward DeanDemocratic1991Incumbent re-elected.nowrap
WashingtonGary LockeDemocratic1996Incumbent re-elected.nowrap
West VirginiaCecil UnderwoodRepublican1956
1960
1996
Incumbent lost re-election.
New governor elected.
Democratic gain.
nowrap

Territories

StateIncumbentPartyFirst
elected
ResultCandidates
American SamoaTauese SuniaDemocratic1996Incumbent re-elected.nowrap
Puerto RicoPedro RossellóNew Progressive1992Incumbent retired.
New governor elected.
Popular Democratic gain.
nowrap

Closest races

States where the margin of victory was under 1%:

Missouri, 0.9%

States where the margin of victory was under 5%:

American Samoa, 2.8%
West Virginia, 2.9%
Puerto Rico, 3.0%
Montana, 3.9%

States where the margin of victory was under 10%:

New Hampshire, 5.0%
North Carolina, 5.8%

Delaware

Election Name:2000 Delaware gubernatorial election
Country:Delaware
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1996 Delaware gubernatorial election
Previous Year:1996
Next Election:2004 Delaware gubernatorial election
Next Year:2004
Election Date:November 7, 2000
Nominee1:Ruth Ann Minner
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:191,695
Percentage1:59.2%
Nominee2:John Burris
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:128,603
Percentage2:39.8%
Map Size:210px
Governor
Before Election:Tom Carper
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Ruth Ann Minner
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The 2000 Delaware gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 2000, coinciding with the U.S. presidential election. Incumbent Governor Tom Carper was term-limited and instead successfully ran for the United States Senate. Lieutenant Governor and Democratic nominee Ruth Ann Minner squared off against Republican nominee John M. Burris and won in a landslide on election day.

Indiana

Election Name:2000 Indiana gubernatorial election
Country:Indiana
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1996 Indiana gubernatorial election
Previous Year:1996
Next Election:2004 Indiana gubernatorial election
Next Year:2004
Nominee1:Frank O'Bannon
Running Mate1:Joe Kernan
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:1,232,525
Percentage1:56.6%
Nominee2:David McIntosh
Running Mate2:J. Murray Clark
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:908,285
Percentage2:41.7%
Map Size:250px
Governor
Before Election:Frank O'Bannon
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Frank O'Bannon
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The 2000 Indiana gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 2000. Incumbent Governor Frank O'Bannon, a Democrat, was re-elected over Republican David M. McIntosh with 57% of the vote. Libertarian Andrew Horning also ran and received 2% of the vote. O'Bannon's victory was the fourth consecutive election in which a Democrat was elected Governor of Indiana, the longest winning streak for that party in the state since the Civil War., this was the last time a Democrat was elected Governor of Indiana.

Missouri

Election Name:2000 Missouri gubernatorial election
Country:Missouri
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1996 Missouri gubernatorial election
Previous Year:1996
Next Election:2004 Missouri gubernatorial election
Next Year:2004
Election Date:November 7, 2000
Nominee1:Bob Holden
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:1,152,752
Percentage1:49.12%
Nominee2:Jim Talent
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:1,131,307
Percentage2:48.21%
Map Size:275px
Governor
Before Election:Roger B. Wilson
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Bob Holden
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The 2000 Missouri gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 2000 and resulted in a narrow victory for the Democratic nominee, State Treasurer of Missouri Bob Holden, over the Republican candidate, U.S. Representative Jim Talent, and several other candidates. Incumbent Democratic Governor Mel Carnahan was term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third term in office. However, he was killed in a plane crash on October 16, 2000, while campaigning for Missouri's Class 1 Senate seat. Lieutenant Governor Roger B. Wilson succeeded to the office following Carnahan's death.

Coincidentally, Talent would later be elected at the 2002 Senate special election and defeated Mel Carnahan's widow Jean Carnahan to begin the rest of Mel Carnahan's unexpired Senate term. This was the only time between 1968 and 2020 that the winner of the Missouri gubernatorial election did not come from the same party as the winner of the presidential election held simultaneously. This gubernatorial election was one of the closest in Missouri's history. Bob Holden did well, as expected in St. Louis and Kansas City. Talent easily won most rural parts of the state. Holden did poorly in the St. Louis suburbs. However Holden's wins in the Democratic strongholds of St. Louis and Kansas City proved to be just enough to push him over the finish line. Because the election was decided by less than 1%, Talent could have requested a recount that his campaign would have to pay for since it was not below half a percent. However, most recounts never see a swing of more than 1,000 votes, and Talent was trailing by 21,445. Talent ultimately did not request a recount and conceded defeat on the late evening of November 14.

Montana

Election Name:2000 Montana gubernatorial election
Country:Montana
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1996 Montana gubernatorial election
Previous Year:1996
Next Election:2004 Montana gubernatorial election
Next Year:2004
Election Date:November 7, 2000
Nominee1:Judy Martz
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Running Mate1:Karl Ohs
Popular Vote1:209,135
Percentage1:51.0%
Nominee2:Mark O'Keefe
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Running Mate2:Carol Williams
Popular Vote2:193,131
Percentage2:47.1%
Map Size:300px
Governor
Before Election:Marc Racicot
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Judy Martz
After Party:Republican Party (United States)
Turnout:59.90%10.70[2]

The 2000 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 2000. Incumbent Governor of Montana Marc Racicot, who was first elected in 1992 and was re-elected in 1996, was unable to seek re-election due to term limits. Judy Martz, the Lieutenant Governor of Montana under Racicot for four years, won the Republican primary and advanced to the general election, where she faced Mark O'Keefe, the Montana State Auditor and Democratic nominee. Despite the fact that George W. Bush, the Republican nominee for president in 2000, won the state in a landslide, the race between Martz and O'Keefe was close. However, Martz managed to narrowly defeat him to win her first and only term as governor. This was the last time that a Republican was elected Governor of Montana until 2020, when Greg Gianforte was elected.[3]

New Hampshire

Election Name:2000 New Hampshire gubernatorial election
Country:New Hampshire
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1998 New Hampshire gubernatorial election
Previous Year:1998
Election Date:November 7, 2000
Next Election:2002 New Hampshire gubernatorial election
Next Year:2002
Nominee1:Jeanne Shaheen
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:275,038
Percentage1:48.8%
Governor
Before Election:Jeanne Shaheen
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Jeanne Shaheen
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)
Nominee2:Gordon Humphrey
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:246,952
Percentage2:43.8%
Nominee3:Mary Brown
Party3:Independent (United States)
Popular Vote3:35,904
Percentage3:6.4%

The 2000 New Hampshire gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 2000. Incumbent Democratic Governor Jeanne Shaheen won re-election.

North Carolina

Election Name:2000 North Carolina gubernatorial election
Country:North Carolina
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1996 North Carolina gubernatorial election
Previous Year:1996
Next Election:2004 North Carolina gubernatorial election
Next Year:2004
Election Date:November 7, 2000
Nominee1:Mike Easley
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:1,530,324
Percentage1:52.02%
Nominee2:Richard Vinroot
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:1,360,960
Percentage2:46.26%
Map Size:325px
Governor
Before Election:Jim Hunt
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Mike Easley
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The 2000 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 2000. The general election was fought between the Republican nominee, former mayor of Charlotte Richard Vinroot and the Democratic nominee, state Attorney General Mike Easley. Easley won by 52% to 46% and succeeded fellow Democrat Jim Hunt as governor.

North Dakota

Election Name:2000 North Dakota gubernatorial election
Country:North Dakota
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1996 North Dakota gubernatorial election
Previous Year:1996
Next Election:2004 North Dakota gubernatorial election
Next Year:2004
Election Date:November 7, 2000
Nominee1:John Hoeven
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Running Mate1:Jack Dalrymple
Popular Vote1:159,255
Percentage1:55.0%
Nominee2:Heidi Heitkamp
Party2:North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party
Running Mate2:Aaron Krauter
Popular Vote2:130,144
Percentage2:45.0%
Map Size:250px
Governor
Before Election:Ed Schafer
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:John Hoeven
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

The 2000 North Dakota gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 2000 for the post of Governor of North Dakota. Incumbent Republican Governor Ed Schafer decided not to run for reelection. Republican nominee John Hoeven won the election over Democratic State Attorney General Heidi Heitkamp. Heitkamp had led in the polls until early October, when reports indicated that she had breast cancer, and would undergo surgery. She ran advertisements to assure voters she was still fit to serve; however, by the final month, Hoeven had taken a six-point lead in polling.[4] As of 2021, this is the most recent North Dakota gubernatorial election in which the Democratic nominee received over 40% of the vote. Hoeven and Heitkamp later served alongside each other in the United States Senate from 2013 to 2019.

Utah

Election Name:2000 Utah gubernatorial election
Country:Utah
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1996 Utah gubernatorial election
Previous Year:1996
Next Election:2004 Utah gubernatorial election
Next Year:2004
Election Date:November 7, 2000
Flag Year:1922
Nominee1:Mike Leavitt
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Running Mate1:Olene Walker
Popular Vote1:424,837
Percentage1:55.77%
Nominee2:Bill Orton
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Running Mate2:Karen Hale
Popular Vote2:321,979
Percentage2:42.27%
Map Size:220px
Governor
Before Election:Mike Leavitt
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Mike Leavitt
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

The 2000 Utah gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 2000. Incumbent Republican Mike Leavitt won reelection to a third term.

Vermont

Election Name:2000 Vermont gubernatorial election
Country:Vermont
Type:presidential
Ongoing:No
Previous Election:1998 Vermont gubernatorial election
Previous Year:1998
Next Election:2002 Vermont gubernatorial election
Next Year:2002
Election Date:November 7, 2000
Nominee1:Howard Dean
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:148,059
Percentage1:50.5%
Nominee2:Ruth Dwyer
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:111,359
Percentage2:38.0%
Nominee3:Anthony Pollina
Party3:Vermont Progressive Party
Popular Vote3:28,116
Percentage3:9.6%
Governor
Before Election:Howard Dean
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Howard Dean
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The 2000 Vermont gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 2000. Incumbent Democratic Governor Howard Dean won re-election. The campaign was dominated by the fallout from the passage of a civil union bill and the subsequent backlash encapsulated by the slogan Take Back Vermont. Ruth Dwyer, the Republican nominee in 1998, ran again in 2000 and was closely tied to the Take Back Vermont movement. Howard Dean, the Democratic governor, favored civil unions and was a primary target of Take Back Vermont.[5]

Washington

Election Name:2000 Washington gubernatorial election
Country:Washington
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1996 Washington gubernatorial election
Previous Year:1996
Next Election:2004 Washington gubernatorial election
Next Year:2004
Election Date:November 7, 2000
Nominee1:Gary Locke
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:1,441,973
Percentage1:58.4%
Nominee2:John Carlson
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:980,060
Percentage2:39.7%
Governor
Map Size:275px
Before Election:Gary Locke
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Gary Locke
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The 2000 Washington gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 2000. Incumbent Democratic governor Gary Locke defeated the Republican candidate John Carlson for his second term in a landslide.

, this was the earliest gubernatorial election in Washington in which both candidates are currently still living. This is the last time a Democratic nominee for governor outperformed the Democratic nominee for president in Washington. This would also be the last gubernatorial election in Washington in which the margin of victory was in double digits and in which any counties in Eastern Washington voted for a Democrat until Jay Inslee's 2020 landslide victory.

West Virginia

Election Name:2000 West Virginia gubernatorial election
Country:West Virginia
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1996 West Virginia gubernatorial election
Previous Year:1996
Next Election:2004 West Virginia gubernatorial election
Next Year:2004
Election Date:November 7, 2000
Nominee1:Bob Wise
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:324,822
Percentage1:50.1%
Nominee2:Cecil Underwood
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:305,926
Percentage2:47.2%
Map Size:250px
Governor
Before Election:Cecil Underwood
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Bob Wise
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The 2000 West Virginia gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 2000. Incumbent Republican Governor Cecil Underwood ran for re-election to a second consecutive term in office, but was defeated by Democratic U.S. Representative Bob Wise. Concurrently, the state voted for the opposite party federally, choosing Republican nominee, George W. Bush over Democratic nominee Al Gore in the presidential election that year., this was the last time in which an incumbent West Virginia Governor lost re-election.

Territories

American Samoa

Puerto Rico

Election Name:2000 Puerto Rican general election
Country:Puerto Rico
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1996 Puerto Rican general election
Previous Year:1996
Next Election:2004 Puerto Rican general election
Next Year:2004
Election Date:7 November 2000
Turnout:82.20%
Image1:Puerto Rican Governor Sila Calderon at the Pentagon, Feb 27, 2001 (1).jpg
Nominee1:Sila María Calderón
Party1:Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico
Alliance1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:978,860
Percentage1:48.9%
Nominee2:Carlos Pesquera
Party2:New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico
Alliance2:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:919,194
Percentage2:45.9%
Image3:3x4.svg
Nominee3:Rubén Berríos
Party3:Puerto Rican Independence Party
Popular Vote3:104,705
Percentage3:5.7%
Map Size:350px
Governor
Before Election:Pedro Rosselló
Before Party:New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico
After Election:Sila María Calderón
After Party:Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Our Campaigns - AS Governor Race - Nov 07, 2000.
  2. Web site: Montana Voter Turnout. Montana Secretary of State. 22 February 2018 . 2022-05-26.
  3. Web site: GOP Rep. Greg Gianforte wins Montana governor's race | . 2020-11-04 . 2020-11-04 . The Hill. https://web.archive.org/web/20201104114612/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/524417-gop-rep-greg-gianforte-wins-montana-governors-race?amp . dead .
  4. News: Janofsky. Michael. THE 2000 ELECTIONS: RACES IN THE STATES; With 11 Governorships Being Contested, Democrats Win 7, Some in States Bush Won. 22 August 2016. The New York Times. 7 November 2000.
  5. News: 'Take Back Vermont,' the signs say, but take it back to what?. The Boston Globe. November 5, 2000. Ellen Goodman.